Dealing with Dysthymia: Recognising and Recovering from Chronic, Low-Grade Depression

Have you, or someone close to you, been suffering from frequent low moods for two or more years?

Chronic, low-grade depression is often thought of as a mild disorder that does not need to be taken as seriously as more extreme mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder. However, research shows that this milder form of depression, known as “dysthymia" in medical circles, can be just as damaging to people’s lives as major depression.

Most people with dysthymia often have significant problems with employment or relationships and a high proportion are socially isolated or chronically underemployed. There is also limited public awareness of dysthymia and most individuals with the disorder don’t even know they have it.

Dealing with Dysthymia: Recognising and Recovering from Chronic, Low-Grade Depression is a clear and concise guide to this subtle but destructive form of depression. It describes the main symptoms and causes of dysthymia, and discusses a number of proven methods for dealing with this insidious illness. This informative booklet also includes a discussion of other mental health problems that are commonly found with dysthymia and how the treatment of chronic depression can make it easier to manage co-existing problems such as anxiety disorders and ADHD (approximately 11,700 words including resources).